Electric razor



July 3, .1928. 1,675,805

' J. C. HOLCOMB ELECTRIC RAZOR vPatented July 3, 1928.-.

UNITED. STATES "1,675,805 rArENT oFFlcB.

JARRETT (J.v HOLCOMB, OF SULPHUR SPRINGS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 ROBERT F. CAMERON, 0F DALLAS, TEXAS. i

ELECTRIC RAZOR.

Application led September 28, 1927. Serial No. 222.641.

This invention relates to cutlery and more particularly to a razor.b

)ne object of the invention is to provide a rar/.or having Ya handle including a blade- `holding element and electrically energized .means within the handle to impartv vibratory movement-to the blade holder longitudinally thereof .and thereby cause the blade to vibrate longitudinally when in use and very easilycut through the beard as the blade is moved across the face.

Another object of'thc invention is to pro- Avide a blade holder and vibrator consisting of a coil and a plunger slidable longitudinally through the coil and having one end portion extending from the handle and adapted to carry a blade,` the blade being removably engaged with the outer end of the plunger so that it may be vdisconnected therefrom when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to yicldably support the plunger by resilient supporting means disposed wit-hin the handle and engaged with end portions of.

the plunger projecting from thc coil thereby permitting the plunger to be moved longitudinally but eliminating bearings and other Aparts which are liable tov wear and prevent the plunger from remaining iii-its proper position.

Another object of the invention is to form the blade holder and vibrating mea-ns as a combined solenoid and electro-magnet and thereby permit the plunger which carries thc blade to be very easily moved longitudinally when the coil is energized. Another object of the invention is'to permit the resilient supporting means to'yieldably resist inward movement of the plunger and the combined electro-magnet and solenoid to intermittently overcome the resilient supporting means and-draw the plunger inwardly. when thel coil .is energized.

- Another object of the invention is to control the action of the resilient supporting means engaged with one end portion of the plunger and thereby regulate the amount of vibration imparted to the plunger and blade carried thereby. y

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch for controllingpassage of current to the coil.

y "The invention is illustrated in the accompanyinggdrawings, wherein:

handle.

of Fig'. 2 and illustrating theswitch mechamsm;

Fig. 4 is a similar view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, illustrating the manner of yieldably supportingone end portion of the plunger of the coil;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, illustrating the supporting means for the other end portion of the plunger;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6of Fig. 2, showing the forward end of the handle in elevation;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on'the line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

The. razor includes a handle, indicated in 'general by the numeral l, and a blade 2 which is removably connected with a blade holder 3 lprojecting forwardly from the Since the blade is removably secured, it can be released when it is necessary to strop or clean the blade and there will be no danger of the handle and the electrically energized apparatus therein becoming wet with resultant danger of a short circuit. The handle is in the form of a casing han ing a tubular body 4 formed `of sheet metal perforated, as shown in Fig. 1, and having caps 5 and 6 at its ends which are loosely mounted so that theymay be turned for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

`Within the casing is disposed a combined solenoid and electro-magnet including a sleeve 7 having heads 8 and 9 secured adjacent its ends and between which wire is wound in a conventional manner, as shown at 10. A stationary core 11 is rigidly secured in one end portion of the sleeve 7 and .iny the other end portion of the sleeve is fitted a movable core 12 adapted to be drawn into the sleeve4 when current is passed through the bore of the stationary core and .which becomes magnetized while current is plates, I employ A screws 28 which pass passing through the wire after the manner through arcuate slots 29 formed in the cap of an electro-magnet. It will thus be'seen and -have their inner ends screwed into that the coil together with the stationary threaded openings formed in-brackets 30 core and the movable core will have the carriedby the posts 21. It will thus be seen combined action of a solenoid and an' electhat the cap 6 serves not only as means tok tro-magnet and the movable core will be close the forwardend of the casing but also caused to very easily move inwardly when constitutes actuating means through the methe coil is energized. The reduced portion diuln of which longitudinal vibration of the 13 of the movable core or plunger extends plunger and blade may be controlled.

The cap 5 which closes the rear end of projects rearwardly therefrom. The prothe` casing is formed with an enlarged cen. jected end portion of `the plunger is threaded tral openmg which fits about a circular boss and carries securing nuts 14 between which 31vformed upon a disk 32vof insulating mais disposed a resilient support 15 formed terial. This disk hasv openings 33 formed preferably of thin sheet brass. The -resiltherein across which extend contact plates ient strip 15 extends radially from the 34 and 35'having openings to receive posts plunger in opposite directions, as shown inl 36 carried by blocks 37 which are secured to Fig. 4, and at its ends carries side arms 16 the head 8 of the coil byscrews 38, as shown which extend circumferentially of the casing in Fig. 7. The terminals 39 of lthe wire and have their ends fitted upon posts 1 i The postsfare carried by and project from 40 and sleeves 41 of conductive material are slid along the arms of the resilient support.

the head 8, in diametrically opposed relation placed upon the posts against the nuts 40 to each othfer. and engage the 'contacts 34 and 35v when from which the coil 10 is formed fit upon `where they are lirmly secured by vnuts 18. the posts 36 where they are secured bynuts The portion of the plunger which projects the posts are passed throjlgh the openings forwardly from the coil carries a resilient in the contacts and lthe securing nuts .42'

support19 which is rigidly secured thereto ittedupon their ends and tightened. Thel and is similar in its construction to the terminal. posts 43 and 44 which are-to be support 15 but preferably formed of spring fitted into a socket carried by a conductor steel. This support also extends radially wire are embedded in the boss 31 which is from the plunger, as shown in Fig. 5, rnd also formed with threaded sockets to reat its ends is provided with side arms 20 ceive-screws 45 by means of which a retainer fitted upon posts 21 which project from the ring 46 for the cap 5 and the terminal 43 head 9 and secured by nuts 22.- Plates 23 is connected with the contact plate 34 by fit loosely upon the plunger in close cona wire 47 embedded in the disk. A similaitarting engagement with, op osite Afaces lof wire 48 leads from the-terminal 44 and is the resilient strip 19 so that they may be anchored to.a plate'49.

turned about the plunger and at their ends Since the disk is formed of insulating maare formed with jaws 24 which engage oppoterial, the plate 49 and contact plate 35 will site faces of the side arms 20. While the be insulated from each other and acircuit plates 23 may be turned about -,the plunger, 'cannotbe established through the coil until they may not have movement longitudinally connection is provided'between the two. In thereon. It will thus be seen that by turn- Order to do so, there hasbeen provided a ing the plates to moye their jawsV along the switch arm 50 which is pivotally mounted by arms 20 the distance between'the jaws and means of a screw 51 which also passesA the posts 21 may be controlled and the exthrough a plate 52 and is screwed into the tent to which the arms are allowed to flex plate or block 49, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. thereby controlled. f Since the flexing of the An abutment 53 extends from the hub porresilient` support may be regulated, the dis`- tion of the switch arm between lugs 54 and tance 'the plunger will move when the coil v55 carried'by the plate 52 so that when the is energized may be controlled and either plate is turned about the screw the lugs -will a short or a long reciprocating movement engage the abutment and swing the switch imparted to the blade. In order to adjust arm about the screw from the closed posit-ion the plates and move their jaws toward and shown in Fig.`3 in which it engages the under away from the posts, l have provided alink face of the tongue 56 extending from the 25 which has one end secured to the cap 6 late 35 to an open position in which the by a rivet 26 and its other end `fitted upon ree end of the switch arm fits beneath the a pin 27 carried by onre'of the plates. 'n By bracket 57. Pins 58 and 59 are provided to referring to Fig. 5, it will be readily seen engage the switch arm and limit its swinging that when the cap 6-'is rotated the plates movement., The spring 60 whichyieldably will be turned about the core and their jaws4 retains the actuating plate 52 in a set position is formed of resilient wire bent to provide'a center coil havingta'rms 6 1 and 62 ex- In Vorder to retain the c ap 4upon the casing tending from it, one of which is anchored toy and permit it to be turned to adjust the lUl) , opening formed in an ear 64 projecting from the lhub portion of the actuating plate. Arms 65 and 66 extend from the opposite side or end portion of the actuating plate and project across an arcuate slot 67 formed in the disk 32 and the cap 5 carries a pin 68 which projects through theslot 67 between' the arms so that when the cap is turned about the boss 31 the pin by engaging one of the arms may move the actuating plate against the action of the spring and by contact with the abument 53 swing the switch arm to either an open or a closed position. It will thus be seen that the cap 5 consti-tutes means to open and close the switch as well as serving as a closure for the rear end of the handle casing.

The forward' end portion 69 of the plunger which projects outwardly from the handle is flattened, as shown in Fig. 6, and is formed with a socket 70 which opens through its forward end and is adapted to receive the shank 7l of the blade 2. A spring strip 72 extends longitudinally in the socket and is engaged by a set screw 73 whichA passes through a threaded opening formed in the boss 74 of the plunger so that when the set screw is turned inwardly pressure will be. applied to the spring strip in order to force the' strip into tight gripping engagement with the shank of the blade. Therefore, the blade will be securely but releasably retained in engagement with the outer end of the plunger or blade carrier. By unscrewing the set screw, the blade will bereleased and maybe easily withdrawn so that it may be -stropped or cleaned and putaway after being used.

When the razor is in use, ythe blade is secured in the socket 70 and the terminal posts 43 and 44 engaged in the socket of a conductor wire. By rotating the cap.5, the switch may be closed and current will pass through the coil to energize it. This razor is intended to be energized by alternating current and as the cycles of the current take place very rapidly the plunger will be ra idly reciprocated longitudinally and tliie razor blade will be vibrated longitudinally at a rapid rate of speed but the movement will not be sutlicient to cut the face of a person handling the razor. By turning the cap 6, the longitudinal movement of the plunger and blade can be controlled and the blade allowed to reciprocate longitudinally to cause it to very easily pass through the beard with a slicing motion without the longitudinal movement causing the razor to cut the face. If it is found desirable to do so, the switch may be opened and the razor used without vibrating movement of the blade taking place.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. In a device ofthe character described,

a handle comprising a casing, a solenoid inl said casing including'a coil and a plunger extending through the coil and projecting from its ends, one end portion of the plunger extending out of the handle and constituting a blade holder, and a resilient strip in the casing extending transversely thereof and secured at its ends and having its intermediate portion engaged with said plunger to yieldably support the plunger and permit the same to be intermittently drawn inwardly when the coil of the solenoid is energized.

9,. In a device of the character described, a solenoid including a coil and a plunger extending through the coil axially thereof with its end portions projecting from the coil and one end portion adapted to carry a blade, resilient supporting means for said plunger engaged with the portions thereof projecting from the coil to yieldably support the plunger and permit the same to be intermittently moved longitudinally when the coil is' energized, and means engaged `when the coil is'energized, and means en-` gaged with the resilient supporting means lto control movement of the plunger.

4. In a `device of the character described, a combined solenoid and electro-magnet including a coil having heads at its ends, a stationary core for said coil having an axially extending passage, and a movable core for the coil slidable longitudinally therein and having a portion extending through the passage of the stationary core, the movable core having its end ortions projecting from the coil and one en portion being adapted to carry a blade, and resilient supporting means carriedby the heads of the coil and secured to'the end portions of the movable core to yieldably support the same-and permit longitudinal movement thereof when the coil is energized.

5. In a device of the character described, a handle including a casing, caps for the ends of said casing, a coil in said casing rigidly secured therein and having heads atits ends spaced from saidcaps, a plunger slidable axially through the coil and having its end projecting therefrom and yone end` portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carry a blade, and resilient supporting means carried by the heads of said coil and engaged with the end portions 'of said 'i plunger ,to yieldably support the plunger and permit the same to be intermittently moved longitudinally when the coil is energized.y f

`6. In a device of the character described,

'a handle including a casing, caps for the ends of said casing, a coil in said casing rigidly secured therein and having heads at its ends spaced from said caps, a plunger slidable axially through the coil and having its end projecting therefrom and one end portion extending through the adjacent -cap and adapted to carry a blade, and resilient supporting means mounted between the heads of the coil and caps .of the casing and engaged with the end portions of said plunger to yieldably support the plunger and permit the same to be moved longitudinally when `the coil is energized.

7. In a device `of the character described, a handle includingpa casing, caps for the ends of said casing, 'a coil in said casing rigidly secured therein and having heads at its ends spaced from said caps, a plunger slidable axially through thc coil and having its end projecting therefrom. and one end portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted tol carry a blade, resilient 'supporting strips engaged with the end portions of said plunger between the coil and ends of said casing, control means for one resilient strip movably mounted and slidably en- 4gaged` therewith, and means carried by the adjacent cap to impart movement to sald controly means.

8. In a device of the character described, a handle includinga casing2 caps for the ends of said casing, a coil 1n said casing -rigid-lyI secured therein and having heads at its ends spaced from said caps, a .plunger slidable axially through the coil and having its end projecting therefrom and one end portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carry a blade, posts extending from the heads of said coil at opposite sides of said plunger, and spring strips secured tothe end portions of the plunger and projecting radially therefrom and provided with side arms extending circumfer entially of the casing and secured to said posts to yieldably supportthe plunger and ing from theyheadsof said coil at opposite sides of'said plunger, spring strips engaged with the `plunger and extending radiallyv its en d projecting therefrom and one end f portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carryya blade, posts'extending from the heads of said c'oil at opposite sides of said plunger, spring strips engaged with the plunger Vand extending radially therefrom within the easing and having side arms extending circumferentially of the casing and secured to said posts to yieldably support the plunger, control means loosely mounted upon an end portion of said plunger and having arms slidably engaged with the arms of the adjacent spring strip for movement longitudinally thereof when the control'means is moved about the plunger, the adjacent cap being turnable, and means connecting the said adjacent cap with said control means whereby the cap when turned may impart movement to the control means. 11. In a device of the character described, a handle includingacasing, caps for the ends of said'casing, a coil in said casing rigidly secured therein and having heads at its ends spaced from said caps, a plunger slidable axially through the coil and having its end projecting therefrom and one end portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carry a blade, resilient sup-V porting strips engaged with the end portions of said plunger between the coil and ends of said casing to yieldably support the plunger and permit longitudinal movement thereof when the coil is energized, a switch for said coil-in one end portion of said casing, the adjacent cap being turnable, and meansextending from the said adjacent cap to open' and close the switch when/che cap is turned.

12. In a device of the character described, a handle including a casing, caps for tlrie ends of said casing, a. coil in said. casing rigidly secured'therein and having heads at its ends spaced from said caps, a plunger 4slidable axially through the coil and having its end projecting therefrom and one end portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carry a blade, resilient supporting strips engaged vwith the end portions of said plunger between the coil and ends of said casing to yieldably support the plunger and permit longitudinal movement I thereof when the chil is energized, posts extending from -one head' and having ends of 6 ried/by said disk and engaging thecoil anchored thereto, an insulating disk carried by said posts and `turnably mounting 'the adjacent ca of s aid casing, conductor terminals carrie by said disk, contacts car said'posts, one contact being connected wit a terminal, a/switch arm connected with the other terminal, and means extending from the turnable cap to move. the switch into and out of engagement with the last-mentioned contact when the cap is turned. l

13.1n a device of the character described, a handle including a casing, caps' for the ends of said casing, a coil in said casing rigidly secured therein and having heads at its ends spaced fromsaid caps,v aplunger slidable axially through the coil and havlng its end projecting therefrom and one vend portion extending through the adjacent cap and adapted to carry a blade, resilient 'supporting strips engaged with the nd portions of said lunger and permit longitudinal movement thereof when the coil is energized, posts extending from one head and having ends of the co between the coil and ends of said casing to yieldably support the plungerr anchored thereto, an insulating disk carried by said posts and turnably mounting the adjacent cap of said casing, conductor terminals carried by said disk, contacts carried by said disk and enga ing said posts, one contact being connecte with a terminal, a switch arm pivotally mounted at one end and connected with the other terminal, said arm 'extending radially across the inner face of the disk and movable into and out of position to engage the other contact, an abutment carried y the pivotal end of said switch arm, an actuating plate pivoted concentric to the switch arm and having lugs to engage said abutment disposed at opposite sides thereof and arms extending across an arcuate slot in the disk, a spring yieldably resisting movement of said actuating plate, and a pin extending from said cap through. the slot in the disk between the arms of the actuating plate to engage the same and impart movement to the actuating plate to adjust the switch arm when the ca is turned.v

p In testimony whereo I aix my signature.

JARRE'rr o. HoLeoMB. rt. 

